WCC news: WCC general secretary in Brazil: “we celebrate a legacy built on love for one’s neighbor

On 17 October, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay addressed the 34th General Council of the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil, the WCC’s largest member church in Latin America.  Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay delivers his sermon during the ecumenical prayer of the 34th General Council of the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 18 October 2024 In a country as vast and diverse as Brazil, the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession stands as a beacon of faith, hope, and love, noted Pillay.  “Your church has strengthened the faith of countless individuals, empowering them to engage in evangelization, social outreach, and ecumenical actions,” he said. “Your work has not only transformed lives but has also enriched the broader landscape of faith in Brazil and beyond.” In addition to celebrating 200 years of the church’s ministry in Brazil, Pillay also acknowledged that the church as been a vital member of the World Council of Churches since 1950. “Your contributions have been invaluable, with many members actively serving our governing bodies, various commissions, working groups, and staff positions,” he said. “Through these roles, you have shared your gifts and insights, enriching the ecumenical movement and deepening our collective mission.” Pillay also preached during an ecumenical prayer on 18 October.  In his sermon, he reflected that it is essential to stop and assess the ministries and relevance of the church today. “Sometimes we go on with business as usual when the world around has changed, is changing and crying out for spiritual and moral direction,” he said. “We live in a world today of so much bad news yet amidst these is the good news of life in Jesus Christ.” In Christ is our hope, healing, and abundant life, Pillay reflected. “Jesus Christ is our hope and strength,” he said. “We are to preach, always proclaim and live hope, especially in rough and tough times.” Pillay further reflected that salvation must lead to service. “The salvation and hope we have in Jesus Christ must lead us to transform society,” he said. “We are not called to be a museum but a movement.” As we seek to transform the world, we must also transform the church, Pillay urged. “We must practice what we preach otherwise our message is nothing but a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal,” he said. “You are called to transform society as you prophetically proclaim God`s justice, reconciliation, love, and unity in the world,” he said.  Photo gallery The church leadership and the ecumenical guests of the 34th General Council of the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil. Photo: Josée Ivan Bezerra Ferreira/IECLB See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland